Segment Synopsis:Sara Holroyd introduces herself and provides a brief overview of her personal and professional background. This includes her time as an instructor at the University of Kentucky and as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital.

Segment Synopsis:In this segment, Holroyd recounts stories from her time as a nurse that have stayed with her through the years. Holroyd stresses the importance of music and music therapy through other anecdotes.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd mentions that she was interested in medicine from a very young age but had no money to study it. Women were unheard of in the medical field during this time as well; her aunt thought she was crazy for wanting to study it. High school choir director, Ruth Newman, wrote a letter to Peabody College on behalf of Holroyd, winning her a work scholarship to attend the school.

Partial Transcript:And, um--(coughs)--so, so I had put that out of my mind and was just--decided to concentrate on music.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd resigned herself to the idea that she would not be able to study medicine as a woman and instead remained focused on her musical talents; she played trombone. While at Peabody College, her band director was drafted into the Vietnam War. As a result, she took over for a while as band director. Later, she was approached by the superintendent to become a high school band director for the Tuscumbia public school system.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd enrolled in Lexington Community College's 2 year nursing program. She gives an overview of the steps she took to gain entry into the program. Her entrance into LCC's program came after she retired from UK at the age of 62. Holroyd cites lack of arts funding as a primary motive for why she opted for an early retirement from UK. Before becoming a nurse, Holroyd volunteered at St. Joseph Hospital and enjoyed it.

Partial Transcript:Uh, I, I lo--the first day of class that we--when we started, I was so happy about it...

Segment Synopsis:On the first day of classes, Holroyd fell and broke her 5th metatarsal. She had her neighbor take her to the hospital and she met with an orthopedic doctor the next day. She never missed a day of clinicals and shares her experiences as a non-traditional student and how this affected her interaction with patients.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd talks about a specific memory from her time working in the emergency room, where her neighbor, Dr. Jokl, fell terribly ill and was rushed to the emergency room. Dr. Jokl was a professor at the University of Kentucky. He had emigrated here after losing his job in Nazi Germany and living in South Africa up until Apartheid. She feels he did not get the recognition he deserved from UK.

Partial Transcript:Uh, let me, um--I'm going to go through a series of names here, next.

Segment Synopsis:To kick off the upcoming 100th anniversary of the University of Kentucky's School of Music, Holroyd is given a series of names of fellow professors in the music program and asked to talk about them. In this section, she talks about Mildred Lewis, founder of the UK Chorus. She says Mildred was like a mother to her and could make a great mint julep. Aimo Kiviniemi "Yivvy" was another of Holroyd's fellow professors who was known for throwing big parties; Holroyd recalls a few of their experiences together.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd reflects on her time working alongside Dr. Wesley Morgan while he was head of the school of music. She recalls that he once asked her why she wasn't an associate professor yet, after she explained to him the reason, he said they would see what they could do about that. They (Holroyd and Morgan) conducted concerts together, Morgan is credited with being the person who brought Robert Shaw to UK. Holroyd reflects on what an experience it was to conduct with Shaw.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd talks about John Jacob Niles, who she met shortly after coming to the University of Kentucky. Holroyd then closes out this segment by reflecting on her time spent at Niles' house while interviewing him for the Bluegrass music news magazine she was editor for.

Partial Transcript:Um, the next name to talk about is John Barnes Chance.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd recalls her memories of John Barnes Chance, who she says was a "sad case." There was an incredibly unfortunate accident that occurred with him and an electric fence that resulted in him being fatally electrocuted.

Holroyd begins speaking about William Harry Clark, who she considered to be her "cohort." They got along together quite well and were in charge of the same thing, the only difference being he was in charge of instrumental music and she was in charge of the vocal music.

Segment Synopsis:Vince DiMartino is reflected upon kindly by Holroyd, though she mentions he has always been a chatterbox. Holroyd reflects on what a great trumpet player he was, as well as how great he was at recruiting other great trumpet players.

Phyllis Jenness was one of the first people Holroyd met when she came to UK. Holroyd says that time hasn't slowed Jenness down; at 96 she is still teaching singing to the elderly at a Synagogue. To close off the segment, Holroyd talks about performing opera with Jenness.

Partial Transcript:So the next one, as a natural segue, would be Dr. Donald Ivey.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd talks about Dr. Donald Ivey, a former voice and music instructor in the School of Music. He is credited with establishing the jazz choir at UK and Holroyd credits him as being one of the only people, other than Jenness, who "went to bat" for her during her tenure problems.

Nathaniel Patch was another coworker of Holroyd's that actually taught at Peabody while she was a student, however he was drafted into the war. Patch also founded the Keyboard Institute.

Segment Synopsis:In this segment, Holroyd discusses the many accompanists she has had over the years. She not only covers her recollections of them during their time as students, but also talks about their lives now.

Partial Transcript:So I'd like to talk next about a couple of choral conductors that were famous that you got to work with as well as Mr. Shaw.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd is asked about some of the more famous choral directors that she has had the opportunity to work with. She talks about Robert DeCormier, who she says was loved by his students. Holroyd also talks about Norman Dello Joio. She recalls him as saying he had never seen a choir group as well prepared as hers. This is especially notable because Holroyd never received any formal conductor training or education. Everything she had learned had been done through observing and yet she was one of the women to be chosen as active conductors for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd talks about yet another one of her former students who have went on to achieve great things in life. Ron Browning is now a successful vocal coach who works with many different celebrities.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd continues to recall students from the Sophisticates and mentions that they performed in her final concert. She was expected to give a speech after the concert and regrets that she didn't.

Partial Transcript:And, uh, yeah I thought it was such wonderful, uh, for you to...

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd commends Collins and the other former students who made an effort to have room 17 named and dedicated to Sara. The dean would not approve this, and so The Sara Holroyd Singers was formed instead. Holroyd reflects on how humbled she is to have received such an honor from her students and what motivated her as a teacher.

Partial Transcript:Uh, but I, I'm, I'm, I'm just--I feel like I'm having my, uh, uh, memorial after my death but while I'm still alive.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd's former students have gone on to become successful workers in a variety of fields. Holroyd believes it is because of the lessons that come from music performance and instruction, which can be used as strategies for success in every field.

Partial Transcript:So, you've also overcome a lot of adversity in your life and in your career.

Segment Synopsis:In this segment, Holroyd details the events surrounding her fight for tenure at the University of Kentucky. She discusses the people who helped her fight and those who fought against her.

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd received help from Mereb Mossman, the dean of faculty at the University of North Carolina. Mossman said Holroyd should have already been an associate professor a year ago, and as a result she received her associate professor title. Holroyd used her experiences to become a champion of underprivileged students at the university.

Partial Transcript:So, one thing I wanted--we're kind of winding down here...

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd invited President Singletary to come and take part in her Christmas concert; she was the first faculty member to ever ask him to take part in their program. She also talks about her time working with him as President, her connections to him from North Carolina, and her choir's performance at his memorial service.

Partial Transcript:So, um, kind of draw on a quote that I'm very fond of...

Segment Synopsis:Holroyd gives a few final remarks about her career and the connections she made with other area choir directors. The interview closes with the reading of a poem written by Ruth Green for Holroyd's 90th birthday.